I once was a devout man who was determined to be as "righteous" as
humanly possible...I wanted to know the love of Jesus...or God...one in
the same.I focused on new testament and own a NIV devotional bible...Oh,
how I love the direction of change that the love of God put into my mind
and heart...I prayed for understanding and wisdom...continually. I also
placed complete trust in God, and prayed for what He felt I needed in
life.

After the attending a church on my part stopped, it was hard for quite
some time to not slip back into old routine..although old friends had
gradually stopped visiting, as it had become evident that I was not the
same man as I once was...with the burden lightened I was free to grow...

I cannot remember ever doubting Christ's authenticity until one day,
about two years after I had stopped going to church on a regular basis,
during lunch, while at work. The conversation included many things, I am
sure, I distinctly remember doubting in Jesus or the actual existence
thereof...mind you I have and had been touched in so many ways...it is
mind-boggling to me, when I think back to the heartless one that I had
became prior to my fall in life...

With my own lips...I doubted...with an audience...instantly I wondered
if I had just made the mistake of de-nouncing the one who had saved me
from the path that I walked...which had led to my death.

After lunch was over and the time came for my usual cigarette break, I
headed for the stall...which we all visited frequently(at least the
smokers)

While sitting there in ritual, I had a urge to turn around... something
felt funny? I turned...looked....stared at the corner of the vertical
member of the stall's frame...still smoking...What in the world?

There was a tiny, tiny shredded little corner of paper or something up
there. I could not figure out for the life of me what that
was...sticking out juuuuuuust a bit...the edge... a tattered edge of
something which had puzzled me for LONG ENOUGH!!!

Cigarette plunged to a premature death into the swallowing
commode....standing, buttoning, and zipping all while wondering? What is
that? I reached and tried to pinch the teasing edge...the metal bracket
refused to give it's treasure...I could not grasp it...CAREFULLY using
the edge of my fingernails, I felt substance between...Ahhh...curiosity
is KILLING me by this point...easy.....easy....sliding out slowly and
with enough force to remove yet...CAREFUL....careful as not to tear....

I had been in this stall many many times during my tenure here...Even as
recently as that very morning. That day I happened to be working close
to the restroom door also...I do not remember anyone taking a break
after lunch prior to me...we all kinda watched for our turn
anyway...lol...I also had never heard any one of my co-workers ever
sound religious...or speak as though they had this unbreakable faith or
gift or....I KNOW THAT I HAD TURNED AROUND AND GAZED AT THAT SPOT IN THE
PAST....

As the gift of love that had been handed to me slid free...I realized
that I had pulled an old business card of some sort out...backwards....

I flipped the softened card around...and it read..."If you meet me and
forget me, you lose nothing....If you meet Him and forget Him...you lose
everything!" A picture of our modern version of Christ occompanied the
message....

That was enough for me to never doubt again...I know that God loves us
all...and he exists...

For out of the overflow of the heart...the mouth speaks...

Live Learn Laugh Love,

Michael Gabriel

Great story

Oh yeah...eleven years or so later...it is still in my wallet...behind
my id.

Creativesoul...wonderful